Metallic corset for theatrical purposes



" (No Model.)

W. B. WOOD. METALLIC CORSET FOR I 'HEATBIGAL PURPOSES.

Inventor N. PEIERS. PIwRo-Liihogrzphen Wiuhinglon. DC

I UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE,

WILL B. WOOD, OF SHAMOKIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC CORSET FoR THEATRICAL PURPOSES.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 41 5,085, dated November 12, 1889.

. Application filed May 13, 1889. Serial No. 310,602. (No model.)

To all whom it may cmwern:

act specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My present invention has general reference to improvements in metallic corsets for use in exhibiting the optical illusion of suspending an actor in mid-air without visible supports; and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings already mentioned, which serve to illustrate my said invention more fully, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved metallic corset. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. .Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, portions being shown' in section. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a fragment of the corset. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional plan of a portion of the bands in lines a: 00 and y y of Fig. 1, the former referring to the inner and the latter to the outer band. Fig.6 is a transverse sectional View of a portion of the bands, and Fig. 7 a perspective View of a portion of the tubular suspending-spindle.

Like parts are designated by similar letters of reference in all the figures.

The object of my'present invention is the production of an efficient and secure device to be worn by an actor in exhibiting the optical illusion of suspending a person in midair, while performing, without visible support, said actor being attached with this corset to the operating mechanism, the latter forming the subject-matter of a separate application filed concurrent with the present one, the serial number of which is 310,601. T0 attain this object,I construct a metallic corset of two similar bands A B,.the latter being the one actually worn by the actor and the former the one by which he is attached to the spindle I of the elevating device, heretofore mentioned. These two bands consist each of two similar halves properly hinged together at A B on one side and suitably affiXed with screws 6 e res ectivel 1 011 the o posite side, so that each of said bands maybe opened by withdrawing said screws 6- e and then applied to the.waist of the performer, after which they are to be closed and secured together, as heretofore stated.

The band B has four ribs or stays O C D D, of which the set marked C O are connected together above the band Bbya crosspiece 0 and below the said band by a crosspiece D', while the stays D D are similarly connected by the cross-pieces E and D, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The stays O D and C D are further connected by straps F G F G, having buckles ff g g, by means of which the corset is securely strapped to the performer.

The outer band A has an angular projection a, Figs. 1, 2, and 3,forming a taper socket for a similarly-constructed portion 7 on the end of the spindle I, so that when said projection or tenon 2' is inserted into said socket it will fit the latter with a snug fit. The spindle I is tubular to permit a rod J, having on its forward end a screw-thread engaging a threaded aperture in the band to pass through said spindle, and therebyto secure the corset and spindle removably together. This rod J has an extension J, hinged or otherwise jointed to the former" at j, Fig. 1, for the purpose hereinafter to be referred to.

The band B has at proper intervals above and below the bandA a series of anti-friction rollers L, Fig. 1, revolving upon studs m, Fig. 5, fastened to said band B. In this band are, furthermore, apertures '11,, receiving vertically-revolving anti-friction rollers M, said sets of rollers being thus arranged to reduce friction between the bands to a minimum.

To the stays O D (or any one of them, say at is secured a braided cord K, the ends of which pass rearwardly to and into grooves 19 p in the periphery of the spindle I,-there being loops Z Z, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or a'collar having suitable perforations, as illustrated in Fig. 1, through which said cord is passed. The object of this cord is to enable the performer being revolved in the outer band, (said cord not being seen,) so as to produce the op tieal illusion of the performer turning around in 1nid-air. The grooves 13 p in said shaft or spindle I are for the purpose of passing the cord through bearings of the spindle, (not shown,) so that the spindle may be revolved without twisting the ends of the said cord.

Upon the outer side of the band A is placed a plate 11, having an aperture by which it is passed over the angular projection of said band A, it being riveted at b to a belt N, the free end of which is buttoned to studs 1) on the opposite side of said platen. This latter plate has further buttons 0, to which the dress or jacket of the performer is buttoned, and thereby the entire corset and its acces series concealed from view.

From the cross-piece C to the eross-piece I) runs a strap II, secured to said crosspieces by screws h It, respectively, said strap forming, as it were, a saddle, which the performer straddles and which carries his or her entire weight in conjunction with the hipstraps G 1 while when the performer apparently stands in an inverted position such weight will be carried by the shoulder-straps G G.

In place of frictiona'ollers L, (shown in Fig. 1,) I may provide the band B with laterallyprojecting flange or rim L, as shown in Fig. U, such a construction beingan equivalent of the deviceheretofore described. I prefer the rollers, however, as being best adapted for the purpose.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure to me by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In devices of the class described, the combination, with the split band B, having suitable stays and cross-pieces, of the split outer band A, embracing said band B and adapted to be removably attached to the suspending-bar I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the suspendingbar I, of the split band A, adapted to be re movabl y attached to the said bar, within which band beinglocated a further split band B, having suitable stays and cross-pieces to embrace a performer, in a manner substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the supportingbar I, of a split band removably attached thereto and adapted to encircle the performer, said band being provided with suitable stays and cross-pieces, as shown and described.

4. In devices of theclass described, the combination, with the supporting-bar I, of a corset adapted to embrace the performer, a suspending-ring secured to said supportingbar, a further ring within said suspendingring provided with suit-able straps for securing it to the performer, and suitable means for revolving the inner band, as stated.

5. In devices of 'the class described, the combination, with the split band A, having the socket a, of the split band ll, provided with andstraps, as described, said bands having anti-friction rollers, as and for the purpose set forth. I

6. The combination, with the band A, having the angular taper socket a, of the tubular supporting-bar I, provided with the angular taper tenon i, and the serewthreaded rod J, passing through the core of said bar. and entering the outer band of the corset, as stated.

7. The combination, with the split band 1-3, having the hinged joint, as described, of the stays, cross-pieces, hip and shoulder straps, chest-straps, and the saddle-strap, as and for the purpose stated.

8. The combination, with the bands A I of the cord K, fixed to the stays of the band 13, the spindle I, and the loops I, as stated.

(J. The combination, with the band A, of the plate n, belt N,'and the buttons 0, as stated, said plate it having an opening for the passage of the angular projection of the outer band, as set forth. I

In testimony that I claim 'the foregoing as my invention I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILL B. WOOD.

A test:

MICHAEL J. STARK, WM. 0. STARK. 

